There is a lot of money in professional sports — and it is set to increase. Between 2022 and 2023, the collective worth of these elite teams ballooned by 15%, hitting an unprecedented $256 billion, according to Forbes. In this list, we will break down the top 27 most valuable sports teams in the world, based on these updated 2023 figures.
27. Minnesota Vikings (NFL) – $4.65 Billion
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY SportsUnder German-American owner Zygmunt “Zygi” Wilf, the Minnesota Vikings has seen an increased valuation to $4.65 billion, according to Forbes. In 2023, they experienced a rollercoaster of a season. After winning 7 in 8 in the middle of the season, they finished 1 in 7 at the end of the regular season after going through a quarterback carousel. The Viking faithful continue to hold strong, despite their long NFL championship drought.
26. Atlanta Falcons (NFL) – $4.7 Billion
Brett Davis-USA TODAY SportsWith Kirk Cousins heavily rumored to join the Falcons, there could be a chance of their valuation growing even higher. Under owner Arthur Blank, their valuation saw an 80% increase in 5 years. Although the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl, they have two NFC Championships under their belt (1998 and 2016), and their owners are pushing for investments in the team to make their Super Bowl ambitions a reality.
25. Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) – $4.8 Billion
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsThe Dodgers are certainly spending like a team that belongs on this list. With several mouth-watering acquisitions made during the offseason, the Dodgers will yet again be looking to challenge for the World Series title in 2024. These new signings will undoubtedly increase their revenue stream, already said to be one of the highest in baseball.
24. Bayern Munich (German Bundesliga) – $4.86 Billion
Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/Getty ImagesThe soccer giant is unquestionably the flagship club for Germany’s top division, the Bundesliga. Aside from being the most popular and recognizable entity in its home country, Bayern Munich garners worldwide acclaim for its success both domestically and in international tournaments. It also helps the side to possess several world-class athletes such as Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, and many more.
23. Manchester City (English Premier League) – $4.99 Billion
Matt McNulty – Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty ImagesTreble winners Manchester City have certainly exploded in valuation since their financial takeover in 2008. Ever since, they have competed at the highest level, which climaxed in 2023 when they won a rare treble — winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup all in one season. Manchester City is here to stay, and the world is taking notice.
22. Seattle Seahawks (NFL) – $5 Billion
It seems like there have been rumors for ages that the Seattle Seahawks will be sold. Whoever ends up buying them will have to pay a lot of money. The current ownership group and chairman Jodie Allen have been reluctant to sell the team. And why would they? NFL teams are seemingly only increasing in value, and the Seahawks have seen a staggering 95% increase in valuation over the past 5 years.
21. Denver Broncos (NFL) – $5.1 Billion
E. Bakke/Getty ImagesAlthough John Elway stepped down after the ownership group changed, he helped to put this franchise on the map in a big way. His personnel decisions factored greatly in Denver winning the 2016 Super Bowl. Not only that, but Elway as a player guided the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl victories in the late ’90’s. The team’s brand has grown further with the emergence of past/present players (Shannon Sharpe, Von Miller) thriving in the media world.
20. Liverpool (English Premier League) – $5.3 Billion
John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesLiverpool were mostly on the fringes of Europe’s best clubs until Jurgen Klopp scorched practically everything in his path. When ownership changed to Fenway Sports Group in 2010, they instilled a vision of “Moneyball” at the club, and it’s proved a huge success. Liverpool has since ascended into one of the best clubs in the world today. Although where they will go in a post-Klopp era remains to be seen, their success is undeniable.
19. Houston Texans (NFL) – $5.5 Billion
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsThe heartland of the United States comes equipped with the most ardent football fans in the world. The words “Texas” and “football” are synonymous with one another. As such, it comes as no surprise to see the Houston Texans comfortably placed within this list. With current stars like Derek Stingley Jr. and Nico Collins, their franchise seems set up for coming seasons.
#18 Barcelona (Spanish La Liga) – $5.508 Billion
Denis Doyle/Getty ImagesA name synonymous with soccer greatness. Barcelona may not be experiencing the glory years like 2010, but that still doesn’t prevent it from being one of the world’s most popular and valuable clubs. Winners of the 2023 Spanish league, and with many young talents like Gavi and Lamine Yamal, they seem set up soundly for the future.
#17 Miami Dolphins (NFL) – $5.7 Billion
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesThe Dolphins are getting closer. Despite their increasingly impressive roster, the team as a whole hasn’t enjoyed a ton of success in recent memory. Miami’s last Super Bowl victory came in 1973. They haven’t even won a playoff game since 2000. With that said, the city of Miami is a hotbed for entertainment and tourism alike. If there’s such thing as a sleeping giant within the landscape of the NFL, this franchise is it.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) – $5.8 Billion
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsThe Eagles are flying. Since their Super Bowl win in 2018 (and narrow defeat in 2023), the Eagles have been on the ascendency. Philadelphia is widely regarded as one of the best sports cities in the United States. The Philadelphia Eagles are beloved by many — and are unquestionably one of the more popular franchises in the sport. Plus, the franchise value is aided by the fact it resides in a major media market on the East Coast.
15. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) – $5.9 Billion
Harry How/Getty ImagesStarting with the electric “Showtime” group, Los Angeles transformed how sporting events are viewed and displayed in person. Former owner Jerry Buss turned the game of basketball into a spectacle. His vision was further buoyed by possessing arguably four of the top-10 basketball players (Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal) that the sport has seen. When throwing in the location of glitzy Los Angeles, the franchise is a slam dunk to finish in the upper echelon of all wealthy franchises across the globe.
#14. San Fransisco 49ers (NFL) – $6 Billion
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY SportsSan Francisco has enjoyed plenty of success on the field in each of the last three decades. The days of Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, and Steve Young may have passed. However, the Bay Area in general is still very much a football-centric area. When further factoring in the wealth of the area — and the recently developed Levi’s Stadium — it comes as no surprise to see the 49ers’ franchise rank this high.
#13 Manchester United (English Premier League) – $6 Billion
Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty ImagesOf all the soccer teams in the world, Manchester United is one of the most recognizable. The iconic crest — coupled with brash hues of red and yellow — makes the kit completely pop. It also helps the franchise that it plays in the most competitive (and exposure-based) soccer league on the planet. Although the era of Sir Alex Ferguson has well passed, Man U remains one of the hottest brands in sports.
#12. Washington Commanders (NFL) – $6.08 Billion
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY SportsResiding in the nation’s capital, newly-branded Washington Commanders remains the main attraction as it pertains to sports. There hasn’t been too much success on the field. However, Washington still holds plenty from a sentimental standpoint (dating back to the glory years of the ’80’s).
#11. Real Madrid (Spanish La Liga) – $6.07 Billion
Amber Searls-USA TODAY SportsIt may come as zero surprise to see Real Madrid the highest-rated soccer team on this list. There is no doubt they have been the best and most successful team in this last decade, and perhaps much longer than that. Much like some of the other competitors higher up the list, Real Madrid is a global brand. You’re just as likely to see a child wearing a Real Madrid jersey in Kabul, Toronto, or Santiago as you will in Madrid. Real Madrid’s prominence as a top team in both La Liga and Champions League makes its visibility unmistakable.
#10. New York Jets (NFL) – $6.1 Billion
Nick Cammett/Getty ImagesThe Jets take advantage of existing in arguably the biggest media market in the entire world. Though the Jets aren’t the most popular football team in town, its historic culture of winning makes the franchise quite valuable. Although the Jets faithful were reeling over Aaron Rodgers’s injury, perhaps their on-field fortunes will change in 2024.
#9. New York Knicks (NBA) – $6.1 Billion
Brett Davis-USA TODAY SportsThe self-reputed Mecca of basketball is in New York City. Within that same token, the grandest venue for events in the United States — and perhaps the world — is Madison Square Garden. The glory days of the Knicks date back to the 1970’s. Since then, there’s been minimal postseason success (much to the dismay of the city). But make no mistake about it — this is a basketball town through and through. MSG will always be jam-packed with jaded New York fans cheering their team on, wishing for their first NBA title since 1973.
#8. Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) – $6.2 Billion
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY SportsThe Raider’s move to Vegas under owner Mark Davis (who bought them for a jaw-dropping $180,000 in 1966), has seen them explode in valuation in recent years. Although they’re still waiting for their first title in decades, they have some of the most faithful fans in the NFL. Despite the new location, there is no shortage of supporters who will travel far and wide to watch them play.
#7 Chicago Bears (NFL) – $6.3 Billion
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesMuch like the Cubs, the Bears have long been a popular franchise within the NFL. The roots of the franchise date back to the early 1920s. Since then, we’ve seen iconic players (Walter Payton, Mike Ditka, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Brian Urlacher) dominate on the field in the Windy City. The classic 1985 team will forever go down as an all-time great. With all of these things in mind, the franchise retains its supreme value despite not winning a playoff game since 2010.
#6. New York Giants (NFL) – $6.8 Billion
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY SportsThe New York (football) Giants are currently the most popular football team for those living in the tri-state area. The franchise has more of a winning streak when compared to its sibling squad (the Jets). Furthermore, the media exposure surrounding this team is beyond immense. Star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. likely feels this more so than any other current player. Beyond that, any sports franchise considered “the best” in New York will hold tremendous overall value.
#5 Los Angeles Rams (NFL) – $6.9 Billion
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY SportsOwner Stan Kroenke got full control of the franchise in 2010. Since then, the Rams have transitioned from St. Louis back to Los Angeles. With the move to their shiny new 70,000-seat stadium worth upwards of $5 billion, and epic Super Bowl win in 2022, there’s no telling how valuable this franchise could ultimately be down the line.
#4 New England Patriots (NFL) – $7 Billion
Eric Canha-USA TODAY SportsThere are three people to thank for the collective current value of this franchise: Owner Robert Kraft, former head coach Bill Belichick, and former quarterback Tom Brady. New England dominated the NFL in that period for the better part of 15 years. This machine-like entity has garnered interest from across the world. Essentially, the Patriots’ greatness has transformed this respectable franchise into an absolute juggernaut. Every Pats game is must-see television — as well as easy-to-access television since virtually every contest involving New England is on a major media network.
#3 Golden State Warriors (NBA) – $7 Billion
Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY SportsFew franchises have seen its value boom more in recent years than the Golden State Warriors. Considered one of the NBA’s greatest and most entertaining shows, winning 4 NBA championships in 9 years. In 2019, Golden State moved from Oakland to a state-of-the-art arena in San Francisco (Chase Center). In turn, the value of the Warriors should grow exponentially with its newfound move into the wealthy city limits of San Francisco.
#2 New York Yankees (MLB) – $7.1 Billion
Adam Hunger/Getty ImagesThe New York logo alone is iconic. People throughout Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and Africa can be seen wearing Yankees apparel. From there, New York epitomizes what it means to be a winning franchise. The Yankees have won a mind-boggling 27 World Series championships. Furthering the legend of the franchise, many of the sport’s most popular names from yesteryear (Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle) starred whilst wearing the famed pinstripes. This is a brand that simply will never die.
#1 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) – $9 Billion
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesAffectionately nicknamed “America’s Team”, the Dallas Cowboys register as the most expensive/valuable sports franchise in the world today. Owner Jerry Jones spared no expense when crafting a $1.2 billion stadium with all the bells and whistles one could ever ask for. Everything is bigger in Texas — and the Cowboys’ franchise is no exception. Whether it be the bold star logo or the laundry list of Hall of Fame alumni, Dallas is a beloved franchise in all areas of the United States.
